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It is hard to believe that summer is
already here and the Florida-bred stakes are about to begin! Inside this
[the July 2008] newsletter is a four-month calendar that includes stake
dates and important deadlines. Also included are the lists of eligible
two and three year olds [these lists are also available on this Web
site] that have been sustained to the 2008 stake races. The list of
nominated yearlings will be in the next newsletter. Do not forget that
the draw schedule for the stakes follows the draw schedule for
overnights at Pompano. Make your entries with the Pompano race office. No
entries will be taken by the FSBOA - no late entries will be accepted!
We
would like to welcome our new members of the Board of Directors: Marc
Aubin and Jake Huff (trainer/driver category) and Gary Piontkowski
(owner category). We appreciate their willingness to help the horsemen
by serving on the Board. Thanks, also, to outgoing Board members Wally
Hennessey, Bruce Ranger and Jim McDonald for their efforts over their
three-year terms. A complete list of the FSBOA directors can be found on the back
cover of the newsletter and at the bottom of this Web sites home page.
As I write this, the
strangles quarantine on the backstretch at Pompano is scheduled to end
on Wednesday, June 25. It has been a long 21 days for all horsemen,
especially those in Barn P, where the sick horses were housed prior to
their diagnosis. We appreciate the patience and good humor in
dealing with a potentially devastating situation!
The
University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine is still seeking
horses to use for an upcoming research project they will be performing
for the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC). This project
will quantify withdrawal times for commonly administered substances
which may cause a positive test if given too close to race time. While
these studies are being performed elsewhere in the US, only
Standardbreds will be used for the University of Florida research. If
you have a horse you would like to donate or loan for this extremely
important and groundbreaking study, please give me a call. Horses must
be sound enough to perform a 3:00 mile on a treadmill.
Recently, FSBOA President
Mike Deters and Board Member Gary Piontkowski met with Isle of Capri
Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jim Perry and
newly appointed Vice President/General Manager of the Pompano property
Mike Bloom. Mr. Bloom has filled the position vacated by [the] Doug
Shipley transfer to the Isle Casino in Biloxi. The four toured the
backstretch and had a good discussion of the issues facing harness
racing in Florida. One result of this meeting was the almost immediate
removal of the heavily damaged roofs on barns J and K. Another meeting
has been scheduled to continue discussions and possible solutions to our
problems.
On
the legal front, the appellate court recently ruled that our outstanding
lawsuit will be heard in Leon County (Tallahassee). The files are
currently being transferred from Broward County to Leon County. After
this happens, we will be able to move forward with resolution of the
suit.
If you participate in the
FSBOA health insurance program, you have noticed that the out of pocket
payments for prescription drugs have increased. Here is what you can do
to save money:
1.
Use the Blue Cross Blue Shield mail order program if you are
taking daily maintenance medications (blood pressure and cholesterol
lowering drugs just to name a couple). It is really easy to use! We have
the forms and pre-addressed envelopes at the office, or call and we will
drop a few in the mail to you
2.
Ask your physician if there are less expensive alternative
medications. With the vast number of drugs on the marketplace, there may
be another that will do the same thing for you but cost much less.
3.
Check out the $4 prescription program at Wal-Mart. I was amazed
to see the length of their list of drugs. They now also have 90-day
supplies for only $10. Stop by any store or check out their website at: http://www.walmart.com/pharmacy
It all comes down to being an educated consumer and doing
comparison shopping. As always, if you have any questions about your
health, dental or prescription coverage, give us a call at the FSBOA
office.
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